We’re looking at a couple of “Positive Placement” nail guns as they call them. They shoot 1 1/2″ and up teco nails for joist hangers and hardware.
The two we’re looking at run on air,
Paslode 30deg F2503.pp
Hitachi 30deg NR65AK
Just wondering if any of you gentleman have been using either of these guns or if you have any favorites you use for nailing hardware besides the ol’ hammer or palm nailer. I’ve used the airless Paslode that runs of co2, but wasn’t fond of it.
Thanks, Howie
Replies
You should definitely look at the bostitch, the N88RH-2MCN. It gets some of the best reviews. I heard they've got a new one coming out too. I don't own it, I've only heard it's a good gun.
zak
Thanks Zak I'll check into it!
Howie
I have used the Paslode 5250(?) extensively--it's a beast but will easily shoot anything to anything. I also recently bought the Paslode F350-PP (the newer version) and from a few uses, it seems much better (and lighter) than the old--about $40 retail cheaper, too.
The Bostitch Zak referred to is OK for occasional hardware nailing, but I've had three--two have been returned and one is still broken. I don't recommend them for everyday framing use.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
Jason are these guns the same size as the Hitachi Nr83a's or simular?
Reading the info on the Hitachi that I reffered to it can be ordered with a short magazine rack which I think would be great for tight spaces. I've used other Paslode air guns and have liked them fine. I haven't had any luck with Bostitch nailers at all.
Howie
All our framing guns are Hitachi but we've got one of those Bostich framers with the MCN nose that we dedicate to hardware only. We shoot a ton a hardware with that thing on every job and, knock on wood, going on three years without any service or downtime. But, like I said, we don't use it for regular framing, just hardware. Never had a jam either.
IIIRC, that particular Bostitch framer has more power than the Hitachi NR-83's that are our daily drivers. It's one of the most powerful framing guns out there.
It's worth at least a second look. I had one of the Paslodes before this gun. It felt like it weighed about 50 pounds, had awful balance and jammed constantly on us. I sold it and bought the Bostich. I paid close to $400 for the Paslode when it first came out and I think I paid somewhere around $250 for the Bostitch.
I hear of jamming issues with the Hitatchi PP nailer too, but the short magazine and Hitatchi's track record would probably have made me look hard at it, were it available when I bought the Bostitch.View Image
Thanks for the info I just can't seem to get excited about Bostitch though, I had to many problems with them.
I have a finish nailer that I bought and right out of the box I could never get it to stop leaking air. We've had framing guns and siding guns and all have had problems. Maybe it's the place we by them from but just haven't had luck with them.
Howie
Like I said, when it comes to nailers, I'm a Hitachi guy through and through. But I have had very good luck with that particular Bostitch gun. Even still, I hear you.
Especially with a 'specialty' gun like a hardware nailer, you're probably only going to own one... so it absolutely has to work when you need it to or it's just going to aggravate you to no end.
I know some guys swear by Bostitch but like you, over-all I'm not impressed other than the particular unit I'm speaking of.View Image
I have both the Hitachi and the new Paslode... the hitachi is a lot smaller but I prefer the paslode.. it's faster for me ( I like the pin for placement)... you can't really go wrong with either one but if I could only have one it would be the paslode.. I have used it a lot more and have never had it jam yet.
The hitachi doesn't use a pin for placement? How does that work?View Image
The Hitachi has the nail sticking out the front of the gun, when you pull the trigger a small arm tries to protrude beyond the nail and if it meets resistance it fires the nail.
Hope this explaination makes sense.
I own the new model Paslode and I love it. It shoots nails though anything including the hanger when I miss the hole. I've had mine for a while now and no problems as of yet. After 1 or 2 houses I considered the gun paid for.
"Sometimes I even freak myself out." Dimebag Darrell
Is the newer model the F350-pp that Jason reffered to?
My gun is the F250S it might not be the newest model. It looks like their PowerMaster framing gun with a black cap on the back instead of their usual orange.
It's not the older model that much I know, the old one weighed a metric ton."Sometimes I even freak myself out." Dimebag Darrell
OK Stilletto and How High, I went out to the trailer and checked model numbers:
The old bulky Paslode is the 5250/65 PP; the new one is the F250S-PP
HowHigh, although I haven't used either Hitachi, I'd say the new Paslode is about as compact as you'd like...it's exactly the same rough size and weight of the regular Paslode clip-head framer.
I think FHB did a short piece on hardware guns a couple of years ago...you might search--I don't think the Hitachi's got very high marks.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
Thanks Jason,
Thats the one that we were looking at.
Howie
http://cgi.ebay.com/PASLODE-POSITIVE-PLACEMENT-NAILER-5250-65PP_W0QQitemZ4452976282QQcategoryZ50378QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
We have two of the above guns and you couldn't pay me to say anything bad about them. They RARELY jam and if they do, they're simple to clear.
They'll blast a nail through the heaviest gauge straps if you miss the hole.
I've not used any other brands, but this is a good one.
I have the Hitachi. Just bought it, still on the first box of nails, but I'm already in love. It will shoot 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 nails, and there are quite a few types available for it (I got HDG in case we ever shoot into PT with it). If you get one, check out whether you want the AK or the AKS (short magazine) model. The gun is more compact than an NR83 framer, and lighter. And yes, it will slam nails thru straps, but the actual nail tip sticks out of the gun so it's easy to find the hole even if the gun is in your line of sight.
We used it recently to install some Simpson RC clips, which take two face nails and two toenails. The gun takes some finesse to shoot those toenails, but it will do it with a little care. Since 99% of hardware nails are face nails I don't think this is a bug deal and I assume that any gun would have a tough time with this.
The nails for this gun are a special order in the town I'm in, which sucks. Check availability so you know what it's going to take to get nails.
Thanks everyone for your replies! Great Feedback!
I think we're leaning towards the Hitachi with the short rack only because all our other guns are Hitachi and thats what we know.
I would like to try the Paslodes though and if we need more guns I may buy one of those to compare them. Sounds like either way I can't go wrong.
We're in Nor Cal and can get nails for either.
Thanks again, Howie
P.S.
"Binford 2000:
5lbs Titanium , Revolving coil, Fully Automatic
Laser Scope, Night Vision
Shoots 1" to 4" nails @ 2000 rounds per sec.
Will hit a joist hanger @ 50yds"
I have three of the Hitachi NR 65ak's, one of which has the short magazine. We mostly use the 1-1/2'' nails and once in a while the .148 x 2-1/2'' nails. Real smooth and reliable guns, but I have noticed that they don't have enough juice to run the longer nails into Parallam material all that well. Tried the Bostich, Paslode, and Senco hardware nailers and settled on these. Hitachi nailers are hugely popular in my area as are the nails, and this was a factor also. Is the Max line of guns available in your area? Those would be worth a look also. Good luck.
The MAX is around $900...
$900.00? I have a little over a grand in those 3 Hitachi nailers I mentioned. I am all for cool tools, but damn.
Edited 4/7/2006 7:39 pm ET by framerboy
I got my last two Hitachi nailers from pawn shops, online, for about $200 each. Both brand new with packaging. There's a slight nagging question in my mind about how a pawn shop gets nail guns, but these don't look stolen from a job. I've been interested in trying out a Max gun, but $900 is too rich. I think it's a coil gun, so you'd have to get their nails too. So far we love the Hitachi. We don't nail hardware all day, but if I can avoid hand nailing even a few hundred JH nails I'm happy.
Thanks all for the input!
So, We bought the Hitachi with the short rack and used it all day.
Worked great! The short rack is handy for tight spots, the gun it nice and light, compact and has plenty of power. The way it's set up the lead nail in the rack finds the hole in the hanger so you don't really have to see the hole. ( You can even do it with you eyes closed!) LOL
So far Two Thumbs Up!
I'm going to put a gun hanger on though...hate guns without hangers.
Howie
Howie, I'm glad you like it! Let us know if it gives you any trouble down the road, please.
Have fun!Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
For what it is worth, we use a hook called a Saw Saver on our NR65AK's. We mount it using one of the screws that holds the magazine to the gun body. You have to buy a longer M6 screw, about 30mm. Also the mounting hole on the hook needs to be bored slightly with a 1/4'' bit. If you can find one, you will figure it out.
Bostitch just came out with a new metal connector nailer that takes paper tape nails. It called the StrapShot. I think it sells for $249 . I saw it at an industrial tool store on Long Island. See link below. Good luck.
http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=BOS%5FNEW%5FPRODUCTS&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=MCN150&SDesc=STRAPSHOT%26%238482%3B+Metal+Connector+Nailer
We had a Paslode until it was stolen. Ever try a rap-a-nail gun? It's simply a palm nailer mounted on a frame and uses the same collated nails. It is lightweight and can reach into smaller spaces than the bigger guns. Don't use it daily or even monthly but it works well when we do need it.
There is a review of these in the new JLC issue. The only possible advantage seems to be the slightly smaller size of the tool. I love nail guns but I felt absolutely no interest in buying one after reading.